Hardware Controls Engineer II - Automation
Vardaspace · El Segundo, California, United States
About this role
## Hardware Controls Engineer II - Automation **About Varda** Low Earth orbit is open for business. Varda is accelerating the development of commercial space infrastructure, from in-orbit pharmaceutical processing to reliable and economical reentry capsules. Varda's W-Series vehicles are built, designed, and operated in-house, including pharmaceutical processing payloads, capsules, C-PICA heat shields, and satellite buses. **About This Role** The Hardware Automation and Controls Engineer II builds bespoke test infrastructure that qualifies spaceflight hardware for orbit. You'll design, build, and own sophisticated ground support equipment (GSE) and test systems including propulsion test stands, environmental qualification chambers, and spacecraft-level integration testing. Work with modern tooling including a custom PLC framework and Beckhoff EtherCAT. **Key Responsibilities** • Design, build, and maintain test systems and GSE for flight hardware qualification • Integrate with external hardware: thermal vacuum chambers, ovens, chillers, pressure systems, and precision instrumentation • Develop and extend Varda's internal PLC framework and EtherCAT tooling • Contribute to architecture decisions on real-time control implementation • Build cabinets, wire panels, and own systems end-to-end from design through commissioning • Partner with propulsion, avionics, GNC, and manufacturing teams • Champion sustainable engineering practices for team ramp-up and system reliability **Basic Qualifications** • Bachelor's degree in Electrical, Computer, or Mechanical Engineering (or related field) • 2+ years of industry experience in test automation, controls, or industrial automation • Hands-on experience integrating industrial hardware (EtherCAT, Modbus, RS-232/485, etc.) • Experience with modern PLC ecosystems (ideally Beckhoff TwinCAT 3 with IEC 61131-3) • Full-stack capability: control software, electrical panel design, cabinet wiring, hardware debugging • Proven ability to thrive in fast-paced startup environments with shifting priorities **Preferred Experience** • Advanced EtherCAT expertise (DC sync, ENI configuration, master implementation) • Production experience with TwinCAT 3 and structured text • Deterministic, hard real-time control loops with sub-millisecond cycle times • Time-series data acquisition tools (Grafana, InfluxDB) • Aerospace/spacecraft testing or GSE development • Environmental test experience (TVAC, thermal cycling, vibration) • High-pressure gas or fluid systems • Propulsion test stand development • Spacecraft qualification standards and documentation • Safety-related control systems experience **Compensation & Location** 💰 Salary: $119,543 - $152,749/year (Engineer II level) 📍 On-site: El Segundo, CA 📈 Stock options and/or long-term cash awards eligible **Benefits** ✓ Flexible PTO + 12 paid holidays ✓ 100% company-paid Medical, Dental, Vision insurance ✓ FSA and employer-matched HSA options ✓ $120/month wellness reimbursement ✓ 12 weeks parental leave ✓ Voluntary accident, hospital, critical illness, and pet insurance
Listing freshness
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